Related

Bob joins homeowner Judi Lee for a restoration project involving a side "bench porch" that has been badly damaged by water and decay.

Carpenters Bob Ryley and Terry Bates are on site, and, before starting demolition, Terry explains the scope of the job. Next, Bob checks in with Amadeo DiRocco, who is doing some masonry foundation repair.

Terry continues work with new shingles, new railings from Forester Moulding, and new Chadsworth's columns.

Steps are taken to prevent future water damage to the richly-hued exterior. And last, a new screen door is hung, right as the landscaping (including the installation of a new sprinkler system) gets underway.

Part 1: House Five: Queen Anne Victorian Porch Restoration

The owner of the fifth Elmwood project house wants the front porch, built in 1892, to be replaced. Bob Ryley works with Mult-R Construction contractor Terry Bates to do some exploratory demolition.

Having taken down the railing on the second-floor porch, and having looked closely at the railing, they find that none of the original porch can be salvaged. The whole thing will have to be re-milled by Forester Moulding and Lumber.

The ceiling and roof rafters look solid, but there is a great deal damage to the columns and post basin, as well as a deteriorating foundation underneath.

The mortar used in the foundation contained a lot of lime. The lime took in moisture. The replacement foundation for the porch is going to be rebuilt with concrete block that has a brick veneer.

The theme of community building in the historic Elmwood neighborhood of Providence, RI, is the focus of this project. Rather than tackling one house, Bob Vila is helping 11 neighbors tackle smaller projects like porches, kitchens, bathrooms, and even a third-floor artist's studio.